Lifestyle

Thanks To Nike, You Can Look Like An Olympic Star

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ― The next generation of high tech athletic gear from Nike, currently being worn by the U.S athletes competing at the Olympics in Beijing, made its debut on Miami Beach.

Nike is the official Olympic outfitter of track and field, basketball, softball, BMX and the official medal stand uniform for the 29th Olympiad.

So why Nike?

"I think it's innovation when athletes are looking for apparel," said Nike spokeswoman Erica Pedreguera. "They are looking for lightweight, stability and cushioning, and this year we developed all three of those categories and we're really excited about it."

At the Nike showroom on Miami Beach, customers can check out the latest in sporting style and technology including track and field uniforms that are 20-percent lighter than their predecessors.

"We introduced this in Athens about 4 years ago and since then we've won 76 metals and broken 20 records," said Pedreguera.

When it comes to shoes, the must haves are hyperdunk, basketball's lightest shoe ever at 12 ounces thanks to flywire technology.

"Really what it is," said Pedreguera, "we've managed to create these high strength threads in all the points where you need support, basically its not that much material and it has stability."

While the hyperdunk shoes and the new lightweight uniforms are available to the public, the specially designed track shoes worn by this year's Olympic competitors are not.

BMX is making its Olympic debut this year and Nike has designed a uniform from head to toe utilizing its 'dryfit' technology. A specially designed dunk shoe, which has an internal flap for more pedal traction, is now being marketed to the BMX crowd.

And while you may not have what it takes to be in the Olympics, there is no reason you can't look like an Olympian. Nike is now selling the jackets being worn by all the American athletes on the gold medal stand.

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